Electrical distribution systems in Canada are designed around a common set of voltage standards to ensure the reliable operation of electrical equipment within buildings. Since electrical substations often supply a large number of diverse facilities, a compromised voltage level that balances the needs of multiple buildings is typically deployed. As a result, facilities can experience fluctuating voltage levels in excess of what is required.

A “Voltage Harmonizer” monitors and controls electricity entering a facility and lowers its voltage to the minimum required level for reduced electricity costs. The benefits of Voltage Harmonizers were investigated at the Art Gallery of Windsor, 400 City Hall Square East, the Forest Glade Arena, and the Capri Pizza Recreation Complex. Among the five buildings, the 400 City Hall Square East facility presented the greatest overall annual savings of approximately $12,000 per year. A pilot project based on the analysis is being considered in 2021.

9. WIATC Wastewater Energy Transfer Pilot Project

Administration is currently analyzing the design of a Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) system, proposed by Noventa Energy Partners, to supply environmentally friendly energy to Windsor’s District Energy System (DEW) and Windsor International Aquatic and Training Center (WIATC).

Wastewater is an abundant and underutilized source of thermal energy in North America. Sewers experience predictable flow profiles and consistent temperatures ranging between 18°C and 25°C year-round. The high density and specific heat capacity of wastewater, coupled with its constant availability, makes it an excellent source of thermal energy or a heat sink for heat pump-based HVAC systems.

Noventa’s patented Huber ThermWin® WET system is capable of rejecting and extracting thermal energy to/from wastewater and repurposing it to supply heating and cooling to DEW system and WIATC respectively. The WET system will be able to supply the DE System with chilled water while simultaneously supplying low-grade hot water to the WIATC.

This initiative is projected to generate operational savings of approximately $200,000 and reduce GHG emissions by 715 tonnes annually.

10.Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations

The City of Windsor’s 2017 Community Energy Plan and the Corporate Energy Management Plan identify the need for the city wide availability of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations at the numerous sites of interest in addition to curb-side locations. With the assistance of a $110,000 Natural Resources Canada capital grant, the City will be installing 11 dual wand (22 charging connectors) electric vehicle charging stations in various locations to include downtown, east, west, and south Windsor.

Construction will start in late fall 2020 with a completion date of late summer 2021.